Page 29 of The Encounter
She scoffed. “Speak for yourself.”
She walked into the room and dropped in a chair across from his desk before leaning forward and staring at him expectantly. When he didn’t reply she waved a hand in the air as if telling him to start speaking.
He imitated her and smiled innocently.
“You’re such a shit sometimes. Don’t leave me hanging. How did the date with Maddie go?”
He laughed. “It went well.”
She stared at him. “That’s it? It went well?”
“It went really well.”
“Wow. I feel like I’ve learned so much in these few minutes I’ve been sitting here.”
He tossed a paperclip at her. “Don’t be so dramatic. I had a lot of fun. I brought her back to my place, and we ordered food.”
“Oh!” Haley’s eyebrows bounced up and down suggestively. “You brought her back to your place, huh?”
“We didn’t do anything. I was a proper gentleman.”
Haley tilted her head, and a puzzled look crossed her face. “Really?”
“Really. Why do you look so surprised?”
“I guess I’ve never had a guy not try something on the first date. Guys always expect sex.”
Jace furrowed his eyebrows. “Not all guys.”
“Hmm. Interesting,” she whispered. Then she shook her head and asked, “Did you score a second date?”
“I’m going to ask her if she wants to go on a walk through the park later today.”
“That should be fun. I’m really happy for you.” She stood up and moved toward the door. “Well, I guess I better get to work.”
“Haley,” Jace called.
She stopped and looked back at him.
“Is that why you don’t date?”
Ever since he had met her, Haley had avoided going on dates. He never understood why. She was a beautiful woman and constantly had men hitting on her, but she wasn’t interested. She had asked him for advice on a few men that had caught her eye, but eventually she’d brush it off and nothing would come from it. He’d never asked why. It had always been an assumption that they just weren’t a good match.
She shrugged. “I guess I haven’t met any good guys yet.”
Jace leaned forward and rested his elbows on his desk. “Don’t settle for less than you deserve. If a man is trying to get in your pants on the first date, he isn’t worth it.”
“You’re a good guy, Jace.” She smiled and walked out the door.
Jace tapped his fingers on the desk, thinking about what Haley had just said. He picked up his phone and typed out a text message to Maddie.
Would you care to join me for a picnic dinner in the park?
The dots dancing across the screen immediately brought a smile to his face.
11
Before the workday was over, Jace had texted Maddie and asked if she was interested in taking a walk through the park with him for a picnic dinner. She immediately said yes and changed her clothes into something warmer just before he arrived to pick her up. He smiled at her when she opened the door and leaned over to give her a hug.
